Cisco launches new network automation tools for service providers

Alex Coop

4 weeks ago

Cisco launched six new pieces of software to help global service providers run their large-scale networks and prepare for the next wave of connected devices.

According to the Cisco Visual Networking Index Forecast, more than 27 billion devices and connections are expected to be running on service provider networks by 2021, and Cisco wants to help those networks predict change and react to them in near real time, the company said Tuesday.

“Our primary goal for network automation is to help our customers turn growing pains into growing profit, and streamline operations so they can spend less time on tactical ‘firefighting’ and more time on identifying and trialing new revenue streams,” said Jonathan Davidson, senior vice president and general manager for Service Provider Networking at Cisco.

In short, networks must change the way they manage their operations because the status quo won’t work with the shear number of incoming devices. Another Cisco report says traditional operations staff won’t be able to keep up with a 10 per cent annual increase of connected devices unless they change the way they work. The new portfolio announced today by Cisco allows service providers a single point of integration with zero-touch telemetry, machine learning intuition, open APIs and automated actions that offer a simpler experience. It is backed by Cisco Services to assist customers with planning, customization and implementation, according to the company.